The Estonian Conservative People's Party (EKRE) has began a campaign to demand a referendum on the question of Estonia taking in refugees.

The party will collect signatures, saying that the nation's policy on immigrants and asylum seekers must be in the hands of the Estonian people, adding that migration must not pass current levels.

The party has sent out 530,000 letters with an online petition also available on its website.

A television ad campaign is also in the making.

“In our opinion the migration topic is of strategic importance, considering the future of the Estonian state and people, and it needs a clear popular mandate if we want the state powers to hold on to their legitimacy,” EKRE Chairman Mart Helme said.